Lung Care

Any person that has a lung condition or disease will tell you how scary it is to have trouble breathing. Samaritan Medical Center is committed to helping the northern New York and Fort Drum community diagnose and treat their lung diseases, as well as provide rehabilitation options to help you breathe easier.

Earlier Diagnosis for Lung Diseases:

Early detection is a proven, successful strategy for fighting many forms of cancer.; Samaritan Medical Center is now the first hospital in the North Country to offer low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening for people at high risk for lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women in the United States. Because lung cancer has no symptoms in its early stages, more than 85 percent of the men and women who are diagnosed with lung cancer today are diagnosed in a late stage, after symptoms occur and when there is very little chance of cure.

Samaritan's Early Lung Cancer Screening program can give you that chance. According to International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP) research, a CT scan can find 85% of lung cancers in their earliest, most curable stage. Learn more about this unique program.

Bronchoscopy:

Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look inside your lungs' airways, called the bronchi and bronchioles. The airways carry air from the trachea, or windpipe, to the lungs. Bronchoscopy can help find the cause of a lung problem. For example, during the procedure, your doctor may see:

A tumor

Signs of infection

Excess mucus in the airways

The site of bleeding

A blockage (such as a piece of food) in your airway

Your doctor also may take samples of mucus or tissue from your lungs to test in a laboratory.

Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS):

EBUS is used to obtain lung specimens to be biopsied for lung cancer. EBUS is a tool used by physicians, which features an ultrasound Doppler. This procedure is less invasive than conventional surgery. The EBUS system also makes biopsies safer and more accurate than conventional methods.

Pulmonologists Dr. Rechlin, Dr. Kramer, Dr. Youngblood and Dr. Sears are credentialed to perform this specialized and advanced procedure. To schedule an appointment with these specialists, please call Pulmonary Associates at 315-786-0254.

Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB):

The ENB is a specialized system of endoscopic tools and technology used along with traditional bronchoscopy to provide computer-driven GPS based on a patient's CT scan. The tools extend much further into the lungs than standard bronchoscopes, which enables the physicians to reach more of the lung tissue for a more accurate diagnosis.

ENB is an outpatient procedure, and patients are typically discharged the same day. The ENB technology provides a safer, lower complication risk alternative to traditional methods or the other approaches, such as "watchful waiting," as is the case with many patients diagnosed with lung cancer who are often non-surgical candidates.

Pulmonologists Dr. Rechlin, Dr. Kramer, Dr. Youngblood and Dr. Sears are credentialed to perform this specialized and advanced procedure. To schedule an appointment with these specialists, please call Pulmonary Associates at 315-786-0254.

Cystic Fibrosis Clinic

Samaritan offers an accredited Cystic Fibrosis clinic for patients in northern New York and Fort Drum community. The Clinic is held once a month, always on a Tuesday, by Dr. Melynne Youngblood from the local Pulmonary Associates in Watertown, NY. The clinic is held in the Registration Area of hospital. Appointments are required and scheduled through the Dr. Melynne Youngblood's office, Pulmonary Associates, and the number to reach them is 315-786-0254.